Heck, Here's the Scoop on Former President Yanukovych's Recent Legal Troubles
Yanukovych, former Ukrainian President, handed 15 additional years in prison sentence without his physical presence in court.
Bam, Viktor Yanukovych, the ex-President of Ukraine, is once again neck-deep in some serious trouble! On the 28th of April this year, a court in Kyiv slapped Yanukovych with a 15-year prison sentence, absentia style. What for, you ask? Organizing illegal border crossings and inciting desertion are the charges here, mate. And get this - it's his second conviction by a Ukrainian court, as he previously received a 13-year prison sentence in 2019 for high treason[1][2][3].
Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty details of the recent sentencing. Yanukovych and his former head of security, Kostiantyn Kobzar, got slapped with prison sentences. Yanukovych's sentence is a whopping 15 years, while Kobzar walks away with a 10-year term[1][3]. The jury found them guilty under Articles 332(2), 27(4), and 408(2) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine[3]. The court didn't pull any punches when they upheld the prosecution's demands for these sentences[3][5].
If you're wondering, "Ya, but what happened in 2014?" – that's when Yanukovych made a run for it. With a little help from his Russian mates, he managed to flee Ukraine during the height of the protests against his government. This escape marked the beginning of the ongoing tension between Ukraine and Russia, which eventually culminated in the current conflict[1][4].
This sentencing is just another move in the broader effort by Ukrainian authorities to hold high-ranking officials accountable for supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine. In other words, it's a legal slap on the wrist for those who've been helping Russia rub salt into Ukraine's wounds[3].
With Yanukovych living it up in Russia since his escape in 2014, it's doubtful he'll ever see the inside of a Ukrainian prison – unless, of course, he's extradited or returns to Ukraine[1][4].
And here's an interesting tidbit – in 2022, some rumors surfaced that the Kremlin had been tossing around the idea of reinstalling Yanukovych as a leader if Russian forces had taken Kyiv during the full-scale invasion[4]. But, luckily for us, that didn't happen.
So, there you have it, folks! The latest lowdown on the troubles brewing for the controversial former President, Viktor Yanukovych! Keep your eyes peeled for updates in this roller-coaster ride of Ukrainian politics.
- Yanukovych's latest conviction, announced on April 28, 2022, increases his prison sentence to 15 years due to organizing illegal border crossings and inciting desertion; this is his second conviction by a Ukrainian court.
- Following his escape during Euromaidan protests in 2014, Yanukovych has been residing in Russia, making it unlikely for him to serve his sentence in Ukraine.
- The upcoming war-and-conflicts policy-and-legislation, including Yanukovych's prosecution, represents an ongoing effort by Ukrainian authorities to hold high-ranking officials accountable for supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine.
- In general-news reports, rumors have surfaced that Yanukovych might be reinstalled as a leader if Russian forces took Kyiv during the 2022 invasion, although this did not occur.
- In the realm of crime-and-justice, Yanukovych's conviction directly connects him to efforts to disrupt Ukraine's border security, in addition to his previous conviction for high treason in 2019.
